Weather Icon Photoshop Tutorial

In this Photoshop tutorial, we will learn how to create a simple weather icon using Adobe Photoshop CS6+. No special techniques or Photoshop skills are required to make your own weather icon. You can use the same technique to create a similar vector icon using Adobe Illustrator.

Step 1 > Create a New Document

Create a new Photoshop document. For this tutorial, I used 800px width and 400px height.

Step 2 > Background

You can go straight to the icon but I filled the empty background using Paint Bucket Tool (G) and #ebeee1 colour.

Step 3 > Base

To create the icon base change the foreground colour to #3bc3f6 and pick the Rounded Rectangle Tool (U). Press left-click on your document and set 250px width, 250px height and 65px Radius. To align the shape in the centre of our background press (Ctrl + A) and then the “Align vertical/horizontal center” buttons from the top toolbar.

Step 4 > Sun

To create the sun, first, create a new layer and then pick the Ellipse Tool (U). Draw a small circle with #e8db4b color.

Step 5 > Sun Rays

To create the sun rays, create a new layer and draw a small rounded line with the Rounded Rectangle Tool (U).

Next, go to Layer > Duplicate Layer and move the new duplicated ray to the other side. Press (Ctrl + E) to merge the sun rays. To create more sun rays, duplicate the sun rays by going to Edit > Transform > Rotate 90° CW.

Next, merge the rays by selecting them and pressing (Ctrl +E) on your keyboard. Finally, press (Ctrl + T) on your keyboard and rotate the sun-rays 45°.

Duplicate the rays and rotate them by 90° CW.

Duplicate again the rays and rotate them by 45°.

Step 6 > Cloud

To create the cloud, press (D) on your keyboard to reset to default colors. Create a new layer and pick the Rounded Rectangle Tool (U).

Draw a small circle and duplicate it several times (Layer > Duplicate Layer). Change the size and position of circles to make them look like a cloud (image b).

Select all the circles and press (Ctrl + E) to merge them into one layer.

Next, go to Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options. and add the following settings:

Create a small circle

Duplicate the circle and change the size and position several times.

Add Drop shadow with these settings: Blend Mode: Normal, Opacity: 65%, Distance: 7px, Size and Spread: 0px, Color: #1da3c7

Add Gradient Overlay with these settings: Blend Mode: Normal, Opacity 100%, Color: #def1f6 to #f2f2f2 gradient, Style: Radial.

Step 7 > Highlight

Create a new layer and rename it “Highlight 1”. With Highlight 1 layer active, press (Ctrl + Left click) over the layer to load the selection. Pick the Brush Tool (B) with white color, 300px size, and 0 hardness.

Paint over the selection and press (Ctrl + D) to deselect. Change the blending mode to Overlay and opacity to 90%.

Step 8 > Another Highlight

To create another highlight, create another layer and name it “Highlight 2”. Pick the Elliptical Marquee Tool (M) and draw a rounded selection. Fill the selection with white color using the Paint Bucket Tool (G).

With the “Highlight 2” layer still active press (Ctrl + Left click) to load the selection.

Next, go to Select > Inverse to invert the selection and then hit (Delete) on your keyboard. Change the blending mode to Overlay with 30% Opacity.

Draw a rounded selection and fill it with white color.

Invert the selection and press Delete on your keyboard.

Step 9 > Create a Shadow

To create a shadow pick again the Elliptical Marquee Tool (M) and draw a small rounded shape under the icon.

Fill in the new layer with black colour and press (Ctrl + D) to deselect your selection. Go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur and change the distance to 100 pixels, the angle to 0.

Next, go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and add a 2,7 pixels radius. Move the shadow layer under the “Base” layer and change the blending mode to Linear Burn with 25% Opacity.]

Draw a small rounded shape and fill it with black colour.

Add Motion Blur with 100 pixels distance

Add Gaussian Blur with 2,7 pixels Radius and press OK.

Conclusion

If you like flat icons over glossy ones, then simply skip Highlight 1 and Highlight steps.

To save the icon with a transparent background hide the background and save it as a PNG.